BackgroundAfter traveling in May of 2016, Engineers for International Development (EFID) knew more work was to be done. In January 2017, EFID returned to the orphanage in Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua. During this trip, 10 students and two advisors installed a loop distribution system, making the system more efficient. The team was also able to install two new 1,500 Liter storage tanks, and an Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection system. With these three components, it has allowed the orphanage enough pressure and clean water to create a healthier environment.

​​The NeedThe VERBO campus consists of a residential area, an orphanage, a school, church, and a clinic. The clinic, orphanage, church, and school are all being fed water from one well, the Oasis well. This well was installed around 2008 with four storage tanks roughly 15 feet in the air. It has been able to supply plenty of water to each location, however because the system was not properly developed or maintained, they were constantly losing pressure and water throughout the day. The system contained many leaks, breaks, undersized pipes, and unknown tie ins. With EFID’s help we made sure this would no longer be an issue. EFID implemented a new water distribution looped system disconnecting all minor tie ins, upsizing the pipe, and ensuring there would be no leaks. The system was ½ mile long of 2” PVC pipe, and when a flow meter was installed, the system was running at a constant 22 psi. Creating a more sustainable way of life.

EfID ResponseMembers of Mason EfID traveled to Puerto Cabezas, Nicaragua and installed two additional tanks to the existing water distribution system at the Verbo Orphanage in January, 2017. Moreover, two UV filtration systems were added to the community; one at the location of storage tanks and another at the location of booster pump. Two electrical pipe lines ware established to provide electricity for the UV systems. The orphanage serves approximately 200 children and 40 local workers who now have a reliable source of water for drinking, cooking, and bathing – delivered under pressure. The distribution system was planned and designed by EFID members over the preceding months, totaling thousands of man-hours. Our travel team consisted of ten students and two professional engineers/advisors. The system also included nearly 300 feet of electrical pipe installed and modifications to the existing water pipes. In addition, more fixture connections were added to the existing system and two additional 1500-gallon storage tanks. Installation, troubleshooting, testing, and delivery of the system was accomplished in six days.​Project Conclusion​During Phase 2, EfID focused on installing 2 additional water tanks and installing the filtration devices. As a result of EfID's involvement, the Verbo orphanage can supply an estimated 200 orphans with clean water for a whole day.